P  S 

3523 

183 

C3 

1898 

MAIN 


LOME 


LIBRARY 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


Class 


UNIVERSITY 

OF 

•  .' 


>   X.    • 


"Of  the  truth  that  gold  can  never  buy."—  EDGAR  A.  POE. 


California  Souvenir 
Occult  and  Other 
Poemettes  +  * 

BY  1"ALCIONE." 


NATURE,  PHILOSOPHY,  PATRIOTISM,  IMMORTALITY 

Copyright,  Dec.,  1898.    ' 

--  MAY    BE    OBTAINED   OF  - 

Junto  Book  Co.,  Yonkers,  New  York. 

Creightons'  Book  Store,  110  Turk  Street,  San  Francisco. 

The  "Paper-Covered"  Book  Store,  1203  Market  St.,  San  Francisco. 

Union  News  Depot,  4  Market  St.,  near  ferries,  San  Francisco. 

Metaphysical  Library,  526  Fourteenth  St.,  Oakland  ; 

—OR  — 

Sent  by  mail  by  "Alcione,"  23  First  St.,  San  Francisco,  on 
receipt  of  coin  or  money  order. 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  1898-99. 
Price,  50  Cents. 


CONTENTS. 


PACK 

Hail,  California  ! 5 

The  American  Soldier's  Grave 6 

The  Old  Violin's  Story 7 

A  Stream  in  the  Sierras 9 

The  Voice  of  the  Rose 11 

Astrology 12 

Universal  Brotherhood 14 

The  Dying  Adept 15 

My  Southern  Love 17 

Thought  Waves 18 

Spirit  Slate-writing 19 

Psychometry 20 

Heroes  of  Manila 21 

St.  Joseph  Lily 22 

Adepts  of  India 23 

Divine  Art  of  Music 24 

Where  Love  Abides 25 

Star  of  the  Morning 25 

To  a  Departed  Spirit 27 

Clairvoyance 27 

Is  Reincarnation  True  ? 28 

Sweet  Peas 29 

Cathode  Ray oO 

Spiritual  Inspiration 30 

Heroine  of  the  Baldwin  Theatre  Fire 31 

Lovers  at  Twilight 32 

Aloha !  Sister  Hawaii  ! 33 

Soldier-Boy's  Reverie 34 

Forgiveness 35 

Old  Oak  Tree 36 


NOTE. 

In  composing  these  Souvenir  Poemettes,  the  writer 
has  endeavored  to  present  ideas  that  will  elevate,  and  be 
acceptable  in  the  family  circle,  and  if  they  serve  to  arouse 
any  of  the  nobler  impulses  in  the  great  brotherhood  of 
humanity,  their  cardinal  purpose  will  have  been  ac 
complished.  Respectfully, 

"ALCIONE." 


173688 


THE  GOLDEN   GATE,   S.  F. 


The  Hicks-Judd  Co.,  Printers  andiBookbinders,  San  Francisco. 


Hail,  California! 

HAIL,  California!   bright  gem  by  the 
Western  sea, 
Our  song  is  not    complete  unless  we  sing 

of  thee  ! 

Thy    vernal    vales    and    mountains  grand 
That  grace  this  farthest  Western  land 
Charm  every  eye  that  may  behold — 
Their  glory  has  not  half  been  told  ! 
Home  of  the  coming  race  thou'lt  be, 
Sunniest  State  by  Pacific  sea — 
Flow'r-clad,  fruitful,  a  glorious  State — 
Where  Nature's  marvels  are  so  great! 


6  SOUVENIR 

The  American  Soldier's  Grave* 

SPEAK  softly — 'tis  a  soldier's  grave  we 
near; 
Some    mother's    son    rests    'neath    this 

humble  mound — 

All  Nature  mourns,  for  he  was  one  so  dear 
Who  for  the  nation  his  sweet  life-blood 

gave! 

The  starry  flag  his  noble  form  entwines; 
No    more    her   fond    embrace  his    cold 

heart  feels; 

That  mother's   heart   to   God's  decree  re 
signs, 

And  on  her  life  has  Sorrow  set  his  seals. 
Ah  !  hero,  resting  in  the  dust  so  low — 
Your  duty  nobly  in  the  battle  done — 
Your  fate  has  caused  the  bitter  tears  to  flow, 
But    for  th'   oppress'd  sweet    liberty  is 
won ! 


POEMETTES.  7 

The   Old   Violin's   Story. 

MY    HEART    beats    happy,   for    five 
score  years  to-day 
My  form  has  seen  the  light  of  day, 
And   through  the   long   years    I   am  safe, 

tho'  now 

The  cold  earth  wraps  my  master's  brow. 
What  various  scenes   I've  gazed  on,  year 

by  year ! — 
I've    seen    the    happy    wedding    and    the 

funeral  bier; 

I've  felt  the  calm  of  life  and  seen  its  storm, 
And  lived  thro'  winters  cold  and  summers 

warm. 
My    plaintive    tones     have    cheered     and 

charmed  the  soul 
Of  listeners  passed  to  Lethe's  goal; 
Have  teardrops  drawn  from  many  an  eye; 
Have  moved  hearts  tender  in  ecstatic  sigh. 


8  SOUVENIR 

E'en  when  at  night  my  form  was  laid  away, 
The  tones  returned  to  listeners  of  the  day, 
And  echoing  to  their  hearts  the  strains 

they  love, 

Gave  peace  to  life  as  from  above  ! 
A  poor  old  man  a  listener  was  one  day — 
The  melody  was  of  a  lost  one,  far  away; 
My  soul  was  moved,  for   such  an  one  had 

he— 

A  son  who  sailed,  and  lost  was  on  the  sea. 
His  heart  was  melting  with  those  strains 

sublime, 

Which  to  his  spirit  seemed  almost  divine, 
For  with  them  came  a  thought  of  long  ago, 
Ere  his  first-born  had  wander'd  to  and  fro  • 

Such  are  a  tale  or  two  of  what  I've  seen 
In  my  long  journey  through  life's  chang 
ing  scene; 


POEMETTES.  9 

And  if  one  heart    I've  soothed  or   happy 

made, 
My  echoing  strings  have  not  in  vain  been 

played ! 

^ 

A  Stream  in  the  Sierras. 


[The  writer  crossed  the  Sierra  Nevadas  near  Mount  Whit 
ney,  ascending  to  a  height  of  12,000  feet,  passing  Heart  Lake, 
Bullfrog  Lake,  and  the  Devil's  Punchbowl — fed  by  innu 
merable  beautiful  streams — all  being  about  this  elevation. 
How  inspiring  these  scenes  are,  only  those  who  have  visited 
them  can  know.] 

FALLING  water!  falling  water, 
Making  music  all  the  day; 
Never  tiring,  on   your  journey- 
On  your  journey  to  the  bay. 

In  the  day-time,  in  the  night-time, 
Merry  you  your  course  pursue; 

Never  tiring,  never  tiring, 

In  your  course  'neath  skies  of  blue 


10  SOUVENIR 

Over  mosses,  over  pebbles, 
Singing  many  a  merry  lay — 

Little  streamlet,  ever  sparkling, 
You  are  joyous  all  the  way  ! 

When  the  snowflakes, bright  as  crystal, 
Fall  upon  your  shining  breast, 

You  just  shiver,  little  river — 

Then  the  snowflakes  melt  to  rest. 

When  the  birds,  with  downy  wing-tips, 
Shake  the  spray  in  diamonds  bright, 

You  just  kiss  the  crystal  raindrops, 
And  speed  on  your  way  so  bright. 

On  eternal,  in  scenes  vernal, 

Streamlet,  murmuring  your  way; 

Sighing,  singing,  blessings  bringing 
From  Nature's  heart  to  us  each  day. 


The  Big  Trees,  Santa  Cruz. 


The  Tavern  on  Mount  Tamalpais,  Mill  Valley  Scenic  Railway 


POEMETTES.  M 


Laughing  water  !    laughing  water  ! 

Mirror  of  the  stars  at  night, 
Sun  is  setting ! — we're  forgetting 

Time  is  flying  on — good-night ! 


The  Voice  of  the  Rose* 

THEY  say  I  am  beautiful — would  you 
know  why  ? 

'Tis  that  I'm  content  with  my  destiny; 
Happy  to  spread  perfume  in  the  air, 
And  bless  every   wand'rer  who  lingers 

near. 
I'm  free  as  the  air  that  o'er  you  blows, 

And  have  a  heart,  though  I'm  but  a  rose; 
No  evil  in  it  does  ever  intrude — 

For  the  soul  of  the    rose   is   the  soul  of 
good. 


12  SOUVENIR 

Humanity,  would  ye  be  perfect  as  I  ? 

Be  pure,  be  refined,  as  time  passes  by; 
Your  powers  will  be  greater — happy  you'll 
be, 

From  turbulent  passions  forever  set  free. 

& 
Astrology:  or.  Planetary  Influence  on  Man 

?r"PlS  SAID  that  o'er  each  soul  at  birth 

I        Presides  a  star  whose  aspects  ever 

guide 
The  footsteps  of  that  one  on  earth 

Who  'neath  its  influence  may  abide. 
This  would  seem  true  when  life  we  scan, 

And  note  events  upon  our  way — 
That  star  influence  is  strong  on  man, 

And  good  or  ill  shines  in  their  ray. 


POEMETTES.  13 

How  strange  it  is  that  star  by  star 
Affects  us  different  from  afar — 
The  sensitive  affirm  they  feel 
The  planets'  forces  o'er  them  steal; 
That  Venus  throws  a  gentle  ray, 
And  Mars  with  fiery  force  does  sway; 
That  Mercury,  swift  and  sparkling,  gives 
His  fleet  power  to  one  who  lives 
Beneath  his  sign  ; — while  Jupiter 
A  noble  mind  will  e'er  confer; 
Uranus,  distant  giant  orb,  is  seen 
To  give  a  spiritual  mind  serene; 
Saturn  evolves  intellectual  pride, 
Which  circumstances  oft'  may  hide. 
Those  born  in  the  Moon's  soft  ray, 
Sensitive,  changeable,  tender  they; 
The  happy  souls  born  'neath  the  Sun 
Are  full  of  jovial  health,  each  one. 
And  yet  each  star-influence  depends 


14  SOUVENIR 

On  change  of  "  signs'',  which   never  ends, 
For  all  planets,  near  or  far  away, 
In  separate  circles  move  each  day, 
So  one  star  in  favored  sign  may  be, 
While  another  moves  where  care  may  be. 

?Tis  said  if  passion's  power  we  still, 
Bad  astral  influence  we  mitigate  — 

That  by  our  power  o'er  the  will, 
In  some  degree  we  conquer  fate. 


Universal  Brotherhood* 

WE'RE  brothers  all,  but  each  in  dif 
ferent  circuits  move  — 
Some  like  what  others  hate  —  some  loathe 

what  others  love; 

But  let  us  drop  all  prejudice,  and  truly  feel 
We  each  can  do  some  for  the  general  weal. 


POEMETTES.  15 

Let  charity— not  sects— pervade  the  mind, 
And  every  sordid    thought  be  left  behind; 
Nor  let  Suspicion's  darkening  wing 
Throw  its  shade  o'er  the  soul  within. 
Thus,  though  far  and  wide  apart  we  roam, 
Each  one  is  traveling  to  th'  ethereal  home' 
And,  as  unselfish  and  brotherly  we  be, 
Sooner  we'll  reach  the  power  of  Deity. 


The  Dying  Adept* 

MOURN  not   for    me,    although    my 
body  fail; 

Its  feebleness  retards  my  labors  bright — 
When    it    decays,    my    soul-strength    will 

prevail 

And  carry  me  to  realms  of  light; 
But  I'll  return,  and  now  I'll  tell  you  where 


16  SOUVENIR 

My  soul  reborn  and  pure  again  will  be$ 
I'll  name  the  family,  so  you  will  beware 

Where  I  am  born  to  bless  humanity, 
And  when   you  see   the  babe  wherein   I'll 


Ask  for  the  languages  I  speak  just  now; 
The  tongues  all  true  you'll  find  'twill  know; 

Truth's  impress  will  be  on  its  brow. 
#  #  #  # 

Farewell  !  farewell  !  —  mourn  not  for  me, 
For  I'll  return,  reborn,  to  thee; 
To  teach  an  ign'rant  world  I'll  come 
Back  from  the  glorious  spirit  home  ! 


t  It  is  recorded  that  a  high  Hindoo  adept,  in  order  to  con 
vince  some  truth-seekers  who  weie  skeptical  of  reincarnation, 
stated  that  after  his  death,  he  would  at  a  certain  time  be  reborn 
in  a  specified  family;  that  then,  while  still  an  infant,  he  would 
talk  in  several  little  known  dialects  of  Thibet,  and  in  other 
Eastern  languages.  The  skeptics  awaited  the  adept's  death, 
saw  the  child  and  heard  it  speak  the  dialects  and  languages 
mentioned.  If  absolute  proof  of  this  were  obtainable,  the 
Theosophic  idea  ot  reincarnation  would  be  established;  while 
on  the  other  hand,  the  Spiritualists  might  claim  it  to  be  a  case 
of  "spirit  control." 


POEMETTES.  17 

My  Southern  Love* 

"O,  human  love,  them  spirit  given, 
On  earth,  of  all  we  hope  in  heaven." — EDGAR  A.  POE. 

THERE'S    a  sweet    Southern    maiden 
who  lives  down  the  vale, 
In  a  cot  'neath  magnolias  so  fair, 
And  often  I  wish'd  to  tell  her  the  tale 

Of  a  love  that  for  her  I  did  bear. 
The  garden  is  full  of  rarest  of  flow'rs, 

Where  the  honey  bees  roam  all  the  day, 
But    she    is  the  fairest  of    all  the  bright 

flow'rs, 
She   charms  by  her  kindness  each   day. 

But  ne'ermore  shall  1  stray  to  that    sweet 

sunny  home, 

Though  in  memory  her  image  will  stay, 
And  I  wish  her  all  blessings  where'er  she 

may  roam  — 
My  sweet  Southern  love,  far  away! 


18  SOUVENIR 

Thought   Waves* 

"And  silent  thought  my  only  prayer." — THOS.  MOORE. 

VIBRATING  o'er  the    mental  sea, 
Thought  waves  come  incessantly, 
Starting — can  mortal  man  tell  where  ? 
But  far  beyond  the  upper  air. 
Like  sea-shell  echoing  in  caves, 
So  man  echoes  bright  thought-waves, 
And  if  in  harmony  he  be, 
Their  echoes  bless  humanity  ! 

The  artist  catches  thoughts  of  light 
And  shade,  in  colors  soft  or  bright; 
Musicians — sound's  vibrating  tones; 
So  thought  waves,  surging  on  life's  sea, 

From  mind  to  mind  flow  ceaselessly. 
#  #  *  * 

Destiny  fulfilling  on  earth's  shore, 
Good  thoughts  be  ours  for  evermore! 


POEMETTES.  19 

Spirit   Slate- Writing* 

"But  why  should  the  bodiless  soul  be  sent 
Far  off  to  a  long,  long  banishment  ?"— BRYANT. 

SPIRIT  friends,  I   opened  wide  faith's 
gate, 

And  you  wrote  a  message  on  the  slate; 
No  doubt  was  there  that  'twas  from  you — 

Invisible,  departed  friends  so  true  ! 
In  many  colors  your  true  sentence  came; 
Your  ideas,  too,  were  just  the  same 
As  when  on  earth  you  stood  at  my  side 
And  to  solve  death's  mystery  you  tried. 

Ever  you're  welcome,  spirit  friend — your 

pow'r 

Is  felt  at  morn  and  in  the  twilight  hour. 
May  many  get  the  power  that  brings  you 

here, 
To  write  sweet  truths  from  brightest  sphere. 


20  SOUVENIR 

Psychometry. 

THERE  is  a  power  that  in  the  human 
mind 
Finds    lodgment   while    few    think    'tis 

there — 

Psychometry — the  hidden  it  will  find, 
Tho'  obscured    from    all   things    bright 

and  clear. 
'Tis  unlike  sight;  'tis  feeling  clear  and  true. 

And  permeates  each  atom  small 
That's  hid  in  substance  from  our  view — 

Finding  what's  true  and  accurate  in  all. 
"  Soul-measuring  "  this  newest  term  implies 
And  boundless  its  ever-widening  sway, 
And  as  this  century  unceasing  flies, 

Psychometry  is  spreading  every  day, 
Exploring  truth's  mysterious  lore, 
That  beckons  us  for  evermore  ! 


POEMETTES.  21 

Heroes  of  Manila* 

YOUR  fame  will   yet   be  told  in  story 
To  children's  children  of  our  land — 
How  you  fought  for  freedom's  glory, 

In  Manila's  tropic  land! 
'Midst  the  storm  of  Spanish  bullets, 

Never  faltered  one  of  you — 
In  the  darkness  pressing  onward, 

Each  heart  to  America  true ! 
Waist-deep  in  the  flooded  trenches, 

You  stood  the  murderous,  galling  fire 
Of  the  enemy;   but  the  victory 

Was  all  e'en  Dewey  could  desire  ! 
Fallen  comrades — how  they  suffered 

Ere  the  bugle  sounded  peace; 
Ere  their  wounds  could  be  attended, 

Or  the  cannon's  roar  could  cease ! 
On  shore  and  in  Cavite's  harbor, 

Americans  have  fought  and  won — 


22  SOUVENIR 

Given  the  Philipinos  freedom; 

Prison-gates  for  slaves  undone. 
Down  the  ages  will  go  pealing 

Dewey's  and  our  soidiers?  fame; 
For  they  brought  God-given  freedom 

When  to  Manila's  shore  they  came. 


The  St.  Joseph  Lily. 

Sweet  lily  fair,  thy  odor  sweet 
Floats  on  the  air  as  we  pass  by; 
Thy  blossoms,  dropped  just  at  our  feet, 

Seem  to  have  fallen  from  the  sky. 
Most  emblematic  flow'r  you  are — 

Speaking  of  noble  purity, 
Telling  of  spheres  that,  like  the  stars, 
Rise  for  man  in  futurity. 


OF  THE 


UNIVERSITY 


ERS1TY   1 


POEMETTES.  23 

Adepts  of  India* 

YE  WONDROUS   souls,  who  on  fair 
mountain  heights  reside, 
Away  from   cities   where   vile  pow'rs  pre 
side, 
Whose  thought — unselfish,  pure — is  there 

unfurled, 

Ye  look  in  pity  on  an  ignorant  world ! 
And  yet  ye  help  the  race  to  tread 
The  path  of  wisdom  and,  instead 
Of  glittering  wealth,  to  here  pursue 
The  knowledge  that  fades  not  from  view. 
True,  ye  have  powers  of  miracle  at  hand, 
And  pre-eminently  wise  ye  stand, 
Yet  teach  that  truth's  the  highest  goal, 
And    the   most   wondrous  for  the   human 

soul. 

In  emulation  of  your  course  divine, 
May  we  seek  truth,  and  sin  resign. 


24  SOUVENIR 

Divine  Art  of  Music. 

WHAT  most  charms   us    in    a    lonely 
hour? 

'Tis  music's  wondrous  soothing  power, 
That  bids  our  every  care  away, 
And  turns  our  "  mental  night v  to  day! 
Sound,  well  combined,  charms  the  ear, 
Just  as  soft  words  our  hearts  endear. 
When  far  away  in  valleys  wide, 
Where  nature's  peace  seems  to  abide, 
Music's  a  friend  who'll  ne'er  forsake, 
But  ever  raptures  sweet  awake. 

Who  has  not  seen,  in  busy  street, 
Amid  the  throng's  swift-moving  feet, 
A  sound  of  music  turn  their  glance, 
And  cause  each  palpitating  heart  to  dance? 

If  music  which  on  earth  we  hear 
Is  sweet — what  of  the  heavenly  sphere? 
In  other  worlds  how  grand  must  be 
This  science — music — harmony  ! 


T 


POEMETTES.  2$ 

Where  Love  Abides* 

ELL  me  where  does  love  reside  — 

In  the  heart  or  in  the  brain  — 
Or  does  it  roam  in  the  red  blood  tide 

That  courses  through  our  every  vein  ? 
Invisible  to  us  he  comes, 

But  more  real  than  life  itself; 
In  quest  of  victims  e'er  he  roams- 

Defying  ev'ry  power  —  e'en  pelf. 
Cupid  truly  throws  his  arrow 

Where  most  harm  it  sure  will  do  — 
To  some  brings  joy,  to  others  sorrow, 

And  death  itself  to  not  a  few. 


Star  of  the  Morning* 

STAR  of  the  morning,  whose  lucid  ray 
Lights  the  lone  wand'reron  the  earth 

way, 

How   fair  is  thy  light  o'er   mountain  and 
sea,  — 


26  SOUVENIR 

Star  of  the  morning,  I  sing  now  of  thee. 

Orb  of  the  morning,  thy  glorious  beams 
Fall    o'er  the  valleys,   the    hills    and    the 

streams — 
They  fall    on   the   happy,  the  sorrowing, 

too, 
Who're  often  so  lost   to  humanity's  view  ! 

Star  of  the  morning,  emblem  so  bright, 
Telling  that  there  is  hope  in  the  night — 
In  the  night  of  earth  sorrow,  O  weary  one, 

see 
Hope's    message    from    Deity    sent    unto 

thee. 

Star  of  the  morning,  roseate  is  thy  hue, 
For  the  blazing  bright  sun  flashes  now  in 

our  view — 
But  the  hope  thou  hast  given,  star-gem  so 

bright, 
Was  as  glorious  then  as  the   sun    now  is 

bright. 


POEMETTES.  27 

To  a  Departed  Spirit, 

"What  could  there  be  more  purely  bright  !"—  EDGAR  A.  POE. 

DEAR  soul  of  love,  back  from  heav'n's 
isles 

You've  come  to  me  all  wreathed  in  smiles; 
Surprised  me  with  your  looks  of  love, 
Borne  from  the  glowing  realms  above. 
Your  footstep's  missed  upon  the  stair  — 
Your  soft  blue  eyes  and  flowing  hair; 
Thy  white  rose  blooms,  but  not  for  thee  — 
A  stranger  hand  now  tends  the  tree  ! 
A  rose  yourself,  Heav'n  took  away 
The  one  He  could  not  spare  to-day  ! 
You  said  the  words,  "  Such  love  as  ours 
Ne'er  can  be  severed  "  —  heavenly  pow'rs 
Grant  us  that  hope  our  souls  to  bless, 
Until  we  meet  in  blessedness  ! 


o 


Clairvoyance. 

MYSTIC  sight  that  scans  the  realms 
within, 


28  SOUVENIR 

And  everything  on  earth   can  measure, 
That  can  discern  between  the  right  and  sin; 

That  can  discover  hidden  treasure — 
Thou  art  a  power  that  can  assist  mankind 

To  far  advance  and  individualize, 
And,  leaving  error's  methods  far  behind, 

To  wisdom's  nobler  heights  arise  ! 
If  they  who  have  thy  light  their  duty  do, 

And  to  the  truth  alone  adhere, 
Thy  pow'r  they  ceaseless  should  pursue, 

Divesting  life's  mysteries  of  fear; 
But  if  with  selfish  purposes  they  seek, 

Better  the  power  should  vanish  like  the 

night — 
For  all  power  without  truth  is  weak; 

Truth  is  life's  everlasting  light. 


A 


Is  Reincarnation  True? 
ND  is  it  true  that  souls  come  back 


again 
To  live  again  in  fading  human  form  ? 


POEMETTES.  29 

Do  they  return  to  earth  with  weary  feet, 
Life's  lessons  here  to  learn  complete  ? 
It  may  be  so,  and  wise  ones  say  indeed  'tis 
so — 

If  now  we  learn  not  wisdom's  starry  way, 
Again  on  earth  we'll  wander  to  and  fro. 

Hovve'er  it   be,   they  say  unselfishness 

shall  be 
The  pow'r  to  raise  us  to  that  happy  sphere 

Where,  evermore  so  strong  and  free, 
The  spirit  conquers  rebirth  here. 


Sweet  Peas* 

MOST  delicate  gems  of  the  garden, 
Whose  perfume  is  sweetest  of  sweet, 
Thou'rt  emblems  of  joy  in  perfection, 
That  last  but  a  moment  so  fleet. 

When  summer-wind  blows  o'er  thy  petals, 
Ah  !  quickly  they're  faded  away, 

And,  like  joys  'neath  the  power  of  hatred, 
They  are  gone  from  our  life's  little  day; 


30  SOUVENIR 


And  may  thy  sweet  bloom  be  a  lesson 
To  prize  what's  refined  true  and  fair — 

To  treasure  immortality's  blossoms, 
So  glorious,  undying  and  rare. 


Cathode  Ray* 

O    WONDROUS  ray,  that    through    dense    sub 
stance  shines, 

The  Nineteenth  century  has  thy  power  found — 
Brilliant  achievement  of  those  patient  minds 
Who've  studied  out  thy  laws  profound  ! 

Yet  other  laws,  as  subtle  and  as  gjeat, 

Remain,  inventive  souls  to  explore; 
They  yet  shall  find,  invent,  anew  create, 

To  bless  humanity  for  evermore. 


Spiritual  Inspiration, 

LIKE  sunshine  of  morning  that  opens  the  flow'r 
And  makes  it  bloom  fresh  for  the  day, 
So  sweet  inspiration's  the  glorious  pow'r 
That  chases  life's  shadows  away  ! 


POEMETTES.  3I 

To  the  poor,  to  the  rich,  to  sick,  and  to  well, 
If  they're  earnest,  it  falls  at  their  feet; 

In  city,  on  mountain,  on  ocean/in  dell, 
Its  soul-music  is  constant  and  sweet. 

Souls  of  the  angels  with  us  ever  abide 

To  touch  inspiration's  deep  spring; 
Through  doors  of  the  heart  how  easy  they  glide 

When  they  see  faith  is  waiting  within  ! 

Heroine  of  the  Baldwin  Theatre  Fire. 

[During  the  conflagration  at  the  Baldwin  Theatre  and  the 
hotel  adjoining,  on  the  night  of  Nov.  23,  1898.  many  acts  of 
gieat  heroism  were  performed.  Miss  K.  Richardson,  while 
surrounded  by  fire  in  a  room  on  the  sixth  floor,  fastened  a  rope 
to  a  bedpost,  lowered  three  other  women  in  safety,  and  then 
made  the  terrible  descent  herself,  narrowly  escaping  death.] 

IN  THE  blazing  ruins  stood  she — 
Heroine  of  the  Baldwin  fire; 
High  at  window  of  sixth  story — 

Flames  around  her  leaping  higher. 

The  thought  of  saving  others  kept  her 

In  those  moments  of  dispair; 
Kept  her  heart  in  courage  beating, 
At  that  room  high  in  the  air. 


32  SOUVENIR 

With  the  rope  by  friend  bequeathed  her, 
She  three  others  lives  did  save  — 

Self  forgetting  in  that  moment 

When  duty  called  her  to  be  brave  ! 

Soon  the  smoke^  herself  o'ercoming, 
Drove  her  from  the  room  on  high, 

And  on  the  ledge  her  form,  illumined, 
Seemed  a  speck  up  in  the  sky  ! 

Hearts  below  prayed  for  her  safety, 
As  the  rope  she  tightly  held  ; 

Trembled  when  she  swung  thro'  embers  — 
Breathless  every  swing  beheld  ! 

Joy  !     She  safely  reached  the  pavement  ! 

Wild  cheers  rent  the  lurid  air; 
Carried  to  a  place  of  safety  — 

The  bravest  heroine  'mong  the  fair. 


Lovers  at  Twilight* 

(Obtainable  in  music  form  at  Mauvais',  S.  F.) 

THEY  met  at  twilight  when  day's  care  was  o'er, 
When  the  wavelets  beat  softly  against  the  lake 

shore, 

And  the  hush  of  the  evening  invited  sweet  rest, 
And  the  sun's  parting  rays  just  lightened  the  west 


Loop  on  Mill  Valley  Railway,  Near  Mount  Tamalpais. 


POEMETTES.  33 

Soft  o'er  the  waters  comes  music  so  sweet — 
How  the  strange  echoes  repeat  and  repeat: 

"  Meet  me  at  twilight  when  day's  care  is  o'er, 
And. the  wavelets  beat  softly  against  the  lake  shore !" 

Now  o'er  the  dim  waters  a  boat  glides  along; 

Listen,  oh,   listen  !  tis  moving  with  song — 
The  song  of  true  lovers;  how  sweetly  they  sing, 

As  their  boat  lightly  speeds,  like  bird  on  the  wing. 

They've  met  in  the  twilight — thrice  happy  the  hour, 
When  Cupid's  abroad  in  the  full  of  his  pow'r; 
They're  sailing  away,  with  hope  beating  high — 
Now  lost  to  view  'neath  the  star-beaming  sky  ! 

Rest,  dear  heart,  rest  !  you're  the  one  I  adore; 

Murmur  your  thoughts  as  they  rise  in  your  breast, 
Twilight  is  fading— we're  far  from  the  shore; 

Happy  with  thee,  my  love  evermore. 


Aloha  !    Sister  Hawaii  ! 

(Admitted  to  the  American  Republic,  1898.) 

LOHA,    Aloha  !"    fair   sister,    Hawaii; 

We  welcome  thine  isles  of  the  sapphire  sea, 
Where  the  graceful  palm  grows  and  soft  wind  blows; 
Aloha! — we  welcome  thee;  now  thou  art  free. 


34  SOUVENIR 

Thy  true  sons  no  more  shall  pine  so  lonely — 

The  arm  of  the  Union  encircles  thee  'round; 

Peace — love — America  wishes  thee  only; 

Prosperity  dawns  with  liberty's  sound. 

Aloha  !  Aloha  !*  thy  fame's  known  in  story — 
Kilauea,  throne  of  Goddess  Pele; 

Oahu,  the  isle  where  thy  Kings  reigned  in  glory — 
Aloha  !  Aloha  !     A  welcome  to  thee  ! 


Soldier-Boy's  Reverie* 

THERE'S  a  fond   mother's  blessing  that  e'er  fol 
lows  me, 

Wherever  on  earth  I  may  go — 
Tho'  I  travel  afar  by  the  land  or  by  sea, 
Through  the  tropics  or  over  the  snow. 

She  blessed  me  parting — to  the  war  I  would  go — 
And  in  memory  her  smile  cheers  me  still; 

While  on  life's  rough  pathway  always  I  know 
Her  blessing  my  life  e'er  will  fill. 

At  the  gate,  parting,  the  tears  filled  her  eyes 
(For  tender  are  mothers,  and  true), 


*  Aloha,  in  the  Hawaiian  tongue,  means  "welcome." 


POEMETTES.  35 

And  softly  and  silent  her  bosom  heaved  sighs 
As  her  boy  passed  away  from  her  view; 

And  buck  once  again  she  called  me  to  get 
Just  another  fond  glance  then  from  me; 

I  fold  her  then,  "O  ne'er  must  you  fret, 
For  I'll  write  to  you  over  the  sea." 

The  months  came  and  went,  and  I  never  returned 
To  the  mother  whose  heart  beat  so  true, 

And  a  deep  thought  of  her  within  my  hea.it  burned, 
Although  she  was  absent  from  view. 

One  day  there  came  news — ah!  saddest  indeed — 

Her  spirit  had  flown  to  its  rest; 
But  her  blessing  still  follows  me — love  cannot  recede, 

Though  her  soul  flies  to  scenes  of  the  blest. 


Forgiveness. 

FORGIVE  your  fellow-mortals 
When  wrong  of  you  they  say; 
The  time  will  come  they'll  know 
They  spoke  in  error's  way. 


36  SOUVENIR. 

Old  Oak  Tree. 

(Obtainable  in  musical  form  at  Mauvais',  S.  F.) 

THERE'S  an  old  oak  tree  that  grows  near  by, 
Down  by  a  silvery  stream, 

And  it  looks  so  pretty 'neath  the  clear  blue  sky, 
Down  where  the  waters  gleam; 

Where  I  often  stray  'neath  the  sun's  glad  ray, 

And  watch  the  birds  that  fly 
From  the  leaves  of  the  pretty  old  oak  tree 

To  the  little  glen  near  by. 

Its  branches  fair  all  reflected  are 

In  the  icy  stream  below, 

And  its  gnarled  old  trunk  bears  many  a  scar, 
While  around  it  the  wild  flow'rs  grow. 

The  children  play  'neath  the  oak  each  day — 
Many  tales  of  glee  it  could  tell; 

And  soft  winds  blow  where  grasses  grow, 
And  the  old  oak's  green  for  aye  ! 
*  *  #  #  # 

Farewell,  old  oak  !  where  on  many  a  day 

I've  sat  by  the  flow'r-bordered  stream — 

You've  charmed  a  care  from  a  life  away, 
Down  where  the  waters  gleam  ! 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 

Books  not  returned  on  time  are  subject  to  a  fine  of 
50c  per  volume  after  the  third  day  overdue,  increasing 
to  $1.00  per  volume  after  the  sixth  day.  Books  not  in 
demand  may  be  renewed  if  application  is  made  before 
expiration  of  loan  period. 


50m-7,'16 


14552 


U.C.BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


